Welcome to OCF, Candy! I will try to give you some info. Of course we are all slightly different and will respond in our own way.

I had my lower jaw removed (mandibulectomy). This procedure was a 10 hour surgery. Sounds like your father's is more detailed which could require an even longer operation. I was kept in a medically induced coma for 3 weeks. But that was due to complications I had. Most patients with a mandibulectomy can be kept in a medically induced coma for up to a week. I ended up staying in the hospital for 2 months but again that was from complications. Ive seen many others go thru this and end up being kept in the hospital for 2 to 3 weeks. Then they usually go home. I refused to go to a rehab facility but looking back I should have done it. After being away from home for so long, I wanted to just go home.

As far as disfigurement goes, it does not always happen! It happened to me and a couple others I know of but I also know many more who have come thru this and look very good. You can barely tell they had anything done. Plastic surgeons can do amazing things! It will be a full year after the surgery before any reconstructive surgeries can be done so your father will need lots of patience with this.

I would suggest your father make all the necessary arrangements as if he was going to be away for 3 months time. It is very possible! Im not trying to scare you but this is major surgery and is quite invasive to say the least. Recovery can take many months. I was so weak that I needed physical therapy to just do simple things like dressing myself or walking to the end of the block. It is not easy but it can be accomplished and your father can go on to live a good full life.

Please feel free to ask questions and I will help you get thru this.